The Spring Festival is the happiest time for children because they can receive lucky money. So, what does "lucky money" mean? Can you give change? Let's take a look at the following content!

What does "lucky money" mean?

In folk culture, lucky money symbolizes warding off evil spirits and ensuring safety. The original intention of lucky money was to suppress evil and drive away demons. Because people believed that children were easily affected by evil spirits, so they used lucky money to suppress the demons and protect the children from harm, wishing them health, good luck, and safety in the new year.
During the Spring Festival, when elders pay their respects, they put the prepared lucky money into red envelopes and give it to the younger generation. It is said that lucky money can suppress evil spirits because the word "year" (岁) sounds similar to "demon" (祟). When the younger generation receives lucky money, they can safely pass through the year.
Lucky money is usually given by elders to the younger generation during the countdown to the New Year, symbolizing suppressing demons.
In history, there were two types of lucky money. One was given by the younger generation to the elderly. In this case, the "year" (岁) in lucky money refers to age, expressing the hope that the elderly will live long and healthy.

Can you give change?

There is no fixed amount required for lucky money, so it can be given as change. In folk culture, lucky money symbolizes warding off evil spirits and ensuring safety. The original intention of lucky money was to suppress evil and drive away demons. Because people believed that children were easily affected by evil spirits, so they used lucky money to suppress the demons and drive them away. In the past, lucky money was not real money but symbolic items resembling money, intended to have a deterrent effect. Later, people gradually emphasized the practical significance of lucky money, so it evolved into giving real currency. As elders began to put cash in red envelopes for children during the Spring Festival, it became their pocket money for the new year.